Biography: Aravinth Ruppa, a second-year undergraduate student from the central coast of
California, is currently majoring in economics with a pre-medicine focus. He intends to pursue a double major in microbiology, immunology & molecular genetics. He plans to blend his unique background in economics and medicine to bring about positive impact on the healthcare industry to improve access to care for all patients. Aravinth is also a 3rd degree black belt in Karate and has been practicing martial arts for the last 14 years. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and going to the beach. Aravinth looks forward to continuing to explore Los Angeles and try all the different types of food the city has to offer.

Future Plans: In the upcoming academic year, Aravinth will continue his translational research in the radiology department at the David Geffen School of Medicine, utilizing molecular and cellular biology techniques to investigate Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Aravinth will also continue his work with Consult Your Community to perform consulting services to healthcare startups in Los Angeles further exploring his interdisciplinary interests in business and healthcare. Following his undergraduate studies, Aravinth intends to further his education by pursuing an MD (Doctor of Medicine) and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) in a medical school dual degree program. Aravinth’s aspiration is to blend his interests in medicine and healthcare to initiate meaningful change and improve access to care for patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

What this scholarship means to me: I feel honored and so thankful to have been chosen for the Venu and Ana Kotamraju Endowed Scholarship. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Kotamraju for their incredible generosity, which has given me confidence to continue to seek opportunities to gain tools that I can use to make a positive impact. This scholarship not only alleviates financial burdens but also inspires me to continue to learn and grow. I am truly appreciative of the chance to pursue my educational goals with the assistance of this scholarship, and I am committed to making the most of this privilege to achieve my aspirations.

Biography: Virginia Morrow is a fourth-year student studying Business Economics. Originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota, she came to UCLA to challenge herself academically and learn from the best in the field. At UCLA, she has found a strong culture, rigorous coursework, and a remarkable community. Virginia takes great pride in her educational achievements, including earning the IB Diploma and placing on the UCLA Dean’s Honors List. She currently serves as a director on the board of the Undergraduate Business Society, and works in the Center for Impact at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Outside of the classroom, Virginia loves performing in choir, visiting new places, and volunteering at the Geffen Playhouse. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and encouragement. 

Future Plans: Post-graduation, Virginia looks forward to applying her Business Economics degree in a career in finance. She hopes to use her education as a means to help others navigate complex financial systems. With internships in consulting at PwC and asset management at Goldman Sachs during her college career, she is eager to pursue a career at the intersection of interpersonal and technical skills, and is considering returning to school for a masters degree in the future. 

What this scholarship means to me: To be recognized for this academic achievement award is a great honor, and I am deeply grateful to the department as well as the Bruce family for selecting me as the 2024-25 recipient of the Patricia and Harry L. Bruce scholarship. The financial support of this generous gift will help cover the costs of tuition, and set me up for a strong path after graduation. I have gained so much during my time at UCLA, in the form of exceptional educational experiences, extracurriculars, and friendships, and to receive this prestigious award is a great point of pride. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to both the Bruce family and the Department of Economics for naming me for this honor. 

Biography: Bryzen Enzo Morales is an undergraduate student at UCLA, pursuing three majors in Economics, Public Affairs, and Labor Studies. Before immigrating to the United States, he grew up in the Philippines, where he was exposed to social issues and social problems many Filipinos face in their daily life.  Additionally, as a son of former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), he has always known that opportunities, through public policies, can shape life outcomes and economic mobility. His lived experiences have motivated him to be committed in pursuing extracurricular activities and projects that contributes to the greater social good. 

On campus, he is currently an undergraduate student researcher at the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK), a research center that specializes in empirical spatial analysis to inform timely, relevant, and action-oriented policy research on neighborhoods, low-income and minority communities, and immigrant enclaves. He was also an undergraduate community-engaged scholar who collaborated in a community-engaged research project with the LA Garment Workers Center (GWC) to assess the feasibility of a high-road garment industry here in LA by performing a product-market fit research for a staffing cooperative at GWC. Additionally, he was also an undergraduate research assistant for the Digital Equity and Anti-Oppression Lab, a research lab focusing on social determinants of mental health among minority communities. 

Future Plans: After graduation, Bryzen hopes to expand his research skills by applying to various public policy related pre-doctoral fellowship programs many universities offer across the U.S. In the future, he hopes to pursue a PhD in Public Policy and/or Public Administration, focusing on social policy and social intervention related to poverty and inequality, mobility, income support programs, and social safety net among marginalized communities. Ultimately, he hopes to become a research professor who will not just teach and produce research, but a professor that will advocate and translate to the public, in a national and international context, for a greater social impact. Ultimately, he hopes to use his PhD training to inform evidence-based policy that addresses social problems and social challenges the world faces.

What this scholarship means to me: I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Wark family as a scholarship recipient for this year. This scholarship truly alleviated my worry of covering my school expenses for this academic year. Nevertheless, this scholarship opportunity truly allowed me to focus on my academics, research, and community-engagement endeavors for my final year here in UCLA. This scholarship also means a lot to me as it signifies the Wark family’s confidence and trust in my ability to make a meaningful impact on the world. This scholarship is for my family, my friends, and my community who has shaped me the way I see the world. Padayon! (English Translation: Carry on!). 

Biography: Urania Li is a third-year student at UCLA, double majoring in Business Economics and Political Science with a concentration in Political Theory. Throughout her academic journey, she has gained substantial experience through internships in investment banking and startup incubators, where she developed strong financial analysis skills and business acumen. Additionally, her internships at law firms have provided her with a solid understanding of litigation settings, particularly with documents in the discovery phase. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Urania enjoys an active lifestyle. In her free time, she loves hiking, snorkeling, and watching TV shows. These activities provide a balance to her rigorous academic schedule and allow her to explore her interests and unwind.  

Future Plans: Urania Li has clear and ambitious plans for her future. She intends to gain valuable experience through a legal assistant internship with a small law firm focusing on business law, which will provide her with practical insights and skills in the legal field. This hands-on experience will be crucial as she prepares for her post-graduation journey. After completing her undergraduate studies, Urania plans to attend law school to further her education and deepen her understanding of business law. Her ultimate career goal is to become a lawyer specializing in international business law. With a passion for global commerce and justice, Urania aims to navigate the complexities of international legal systems and contribute to the resolution of cross-border business disputes. Her dedication to this path reflects her commitment to excellence and her desire to make a meaningful impact in the field of business. 

What this scholarship means to me: Receiving this scholarship will significantly alleviate my family’s financial burden and help me manage tuition and other expenses with less stress. With this support, I can focus more on my studies and have the opportunity to participate in meaningful extracurricular activities that will enrich my academic experience. This financial assistance provides me with the freedom to fully engage in my education and personal development without the constant worry of financial constraints. Beyond the financial relief, this scholarship holds profound personal significance. It is a validation of my hard work and dedication, reinforcing my belief in my potential to succeed. It motivates me to strive for excellence and to give back to the community that has supported me. Knowing that others believe in my future inspires me to work even harder, and I am deeply grateful for this vote of confidence. 

Biography: Alexandra is a rising senior double major, studying Business Economics and International Development Studies,  and a concentration in Value Investing. In addition to her studies, she is the Director of the Consumer Goods Division of Bruin Asset Management, working with club members to analyze publicly traded companies in quarterly stock pitches, as well as a member of the Finance Committee for UCLA Alumni Scholars Club, conducting workshops to promote financial literacy. Aside from school and work, Alexandra enjoys spending time with her family and friends, working out, cooking and baking, or playing with her dogs.

Future Plans: Alexandra plans on pursuing a career in retail Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), working in the beauty industry. This summer, she will be joining Sephora in San Francisco as their FP&A summer intern, conducting financial analysis to derive trends, drivers, metrics, and other characteristics to provide structure and guidance in business decision-making. Alexandra will focus on forecasting financial framework and team strategies, utilizing historical demand to optimize costs and merchandise flow. Previously, she was an MP&A intern at Goop and worked at Ulta Beauty in their merchandise financial planning and operations strategy department.

What this scholarship means to me: This scholarship will help me continue to move forward with my goals as it serves as a reminder and recognition for the hard work, dedication, and consistent commitment I have had towards my scholastic, community, and professional endeavors. Additionally, the scholarship may fund my school program, where I am working towards being trilingual, so that I may be able to interact and serve a greater number of members in our community. Currently, I speak English and Spanish, and am learning Norwegian which will allow me to engage in thoughtful conversations with the international audience to share and learn from each other, as I would love to learn about the economies around the world. Life is precious and having the opportunity to experience various cultures and engage with different people would be a generous gift at my young age.